Spring looping machine



July 13, 1965 c. R. BERGEVIN ET AL 3 3.282

SPRING LOOPING MACHINE Filed 001;. 50. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS CHARLES R.BERGEVIN JOHN w. DIACHENKO ATTORNEYS July 13, 1965 c. R. BERGEVIN ETA]. 3,194,282

SPRING LOOPING MACHINE Filed Oct. 50, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 H 2 Fe. 5

IH I36 L ////////'//j Al HP. v .zzz 152 gklu Magoo/Col 154 I35 l H6 H0 H6 i 150 ly 1965 c. R. BERGEVIN ETAL' 3,1

srnme LOOPING momma Filed Oct. 30. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 13, 1965 c. R. BERGEVIN ETA]. 3,194,282

SPRING LOOPING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 001;. 30, 1961 United States Patent 3,124,282 SPRING LOOPING MACHIRTE Charles R. Bergevin and JohnW. Diachenlro, Torrington,

Conn, assignors to The Torrington Manufacturing Company, Torrington, Coma, a corporation of Connecticut Filed Oct. 30, 1961, Ser. No. 148,530 12 Claims. (Cl. 140-103) This inventionrelates to a machine for forming loops at the ends of coil springs and one object of the invention isto provide such a machine wherein a modular construction is employed to permit convenient adaptation of the machine to the formation of end loops at one or both ends of a plurality of coil springs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spring looping unit particularly adapted for use in the aforementioned modular construction.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved rotary indexing means in a spring looping machine of the type mentioned.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide a simple and yet effective means for providing extended end loops on coil springs in a machine of the type referred to.

The drawings show a prefererd embodiment of the invention and such embodiment will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction disclosed, and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a spring looping machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan View of the machine showing an escapement device with background parts omitted.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a portion of the escapement device.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken generally as indicated at 4-4 in FIG. 1 and showing a transfer device. I

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken generally as indicated at 55 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of approximately the lower half portion of the spring looping machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken generally as indicated at 77 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally as indicated at 88 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of an indexing head shown in FIG. 8, a portion of a coil spring being shown in engagement with the head.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary top view of the indexing head of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the spring looping machine showing a cam and slide assembly.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged horizontal section taken generally as indicated at 1212 in FIG. 11. 2

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken generally as indicated at 1313 in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a somewhat schematic enlarged fragmentary view illustrating spring looping tools in operation on a spring.

FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 14, but shows the spring looping tools at another interval in operation wherein a spring end loop is extended.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the ice spring looping machine showing a spring inverting and transfer mechanism with its cover removed.

FIG. 17 is a generally vertical section taken generally as indicated at 17-17 in FIG. 16.

General organization In general, the spring looping machine of the present invention comprises a base assembly such as that indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The base assembly 10 is adapted to support the majority of machine components and includes horizontally spaced first and second or left and right-hand vertical drive shafts 12 and 14. The drive shafts 12 and 14 are adapted for connection with a power operating means such as an electric motor, the latter element being optionally supported by the base assembly or remotely located. Connection of the shafts 12 and 14 with the motor may be effected by known means such that the shafts will rotate in unison though perhaps in opposite directions.

Also included in the looping machine are similar first and second spring looping units indicated generally respectively at 16 and 18. The looping units 16 and 18 are each adapted to successively loop springs at one end and each of said units comprises a cam operated looping mechanism and cam operated spring transfer and indexing means for receiving and presenting springs to the looping mechanism. The looping mechanisms on the units 16 and 18 may be identical and are indicated generally at 20, 20. Similarly, identical spring transfer means are indicated generally at 22, 22 and identical spring indexing means are indicated generally at 24, 24.

Also included in each of the spring looping units 16 and 18 are first and second or left and right-hand vertical cam shafts 26 and 28. The shafts 26 and 28 of one looping unit may be identical respectively with the shafts 26 and 28 of the other unit and the shafts 26 and 28 of each unit are disposed in horizontally spaced relationship adjacent a frame 39 of the unit. Various cams on the aforesaid shaft serve to operate the looping mechanisms 20, 20, the transfer means 22, 22, and the indexing means 24, 24.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the spring looping units 16 and 18 are selectively connectible with and atop the base assembly 10 with the cam shafts 26 and 28 of a connected unit rotated by the aforesaid drive shafts 12 and 14. That is, either of the units 16, 18 can be placed atop the base assembly 10 (as shown in the case of the unit 18) and connected with said assembly as by suitable bolts not shown. Connection between the cam shafts 26 and 28 of the unit and the drive shafts 12 and 14 of the base assembly may then be effected by means of suitable couplings .32 and 34. The couplings 32 and 34 may be identical and, optionally, a timing disc may be provided on one of said couplings as indicated at 36 on the coupling 34.

The spring looping units 16 and 18 are also selectively connectible with each other in vertically stacked relationship with their corresponding cam shafts connected for rotation in unison. Thus, the units 16 and 18 may be connected together as by suitable bolts not shown in the order shown with the unit 16 atop the unit 18 or, alternatively, the order of the units may be reversed. Means for interconnecting the corresponding cam shafts 26, 26 and 28, 28 of the units may comprise identical left and right-hand couplings 38 and 40 as shown.

The modular or unit construction of the spring looping machine of the present invention will now be apparent. With the two spring looping units 16 and 18 connected together as shown or in reverse order and with the lower unit connected with the base assembly 10, a machine for looping both ends of each of a plurality of 'ated inverting. mechanism: 4 2;

modular orunit construction concept, the. mechanisr'n' l I As best shown in FIG; 2, the frame 66 V ment device 50 ,also' supports a cam operated lever 68 5 V which carries a gate r nember 7tb'at its inner end." The 'lever 68 is swingable about .a pivot 72at' the urging of. 'a biasing spring 74 and the aforementioned cam: 52;;a

follower 78 being mounted on the lever 68 at its outer- -end.

alasasa;

springs is provided and it is-necessary only'toprovide means, for transferring springs from one spring looping unit to the other.- Alternatively, and when it is desired to loop only at one end'of eachof a plurality of springs, a

single spring looping unit can be employed atop the base assembly 1%.

-A meansfor transferring springsfrom one springloopr' ing unit tothe other isshowninthe form of a cam oper-v I In accordance with the 1 is selectively connectible with the spring looping units: 16 and 18. The mechanism t-zis shown, connected with'the lower tspring looping unit '18 and as including a cam 44 on the camshaft 26 of said unit. Whenthe spring loop: ing unit l6isemployed as a lower or base unit, a mechanism such as 42. can be connected therewith employingi'an V openingAe in-the franieStl thereof and a portion 43 0f i the camshaft 26 thereof. When connected with either of the. unitsl and 18, the spring inverting mechanism-t2v Q -20 operates-to successively receive springs froma transfer device 22 thereabove and to deliver such springs in", inverted attitude to a transfer device 22.therebelow.

Thus, in the arrangement shown inFIG; l, springs. are

looped at one end by the loopingv unit 16, inverted'zand;

V V delivered to the looping unit 18, and then looped at the opposite end by said unit 18. vA final component of the springlooping machine of r the presentinvention comprises a cam operated escapea transfer device 22'. Such'an-escapement device, indi-. cated generally at 5'0,is in accordance with the invention ment device adapted ,.to intermittently deliversprings to spring 98"and outwardly; by the; plungerffitr. i 2 r In. FIG; 3.5 it fwilliberobserved :thatthe" member .82 is looping unit; I- lowever, it is to be noted herethat the cam 52 and allother cams-shown"in thedrawings-and' V mentioned ,hereinbelow inithe specificationj a're illustra:

tive only; Particular camcontours and particular .interrelationships of camcontours for. proper timing will be.

readily-determined by. those skilled irrthe art.

' There is; also includedin the escapernent deviceistl; a second member engageable .With'a spring in the tube, 55 whereby toholdand release thesarne. Said, second membe'r is identified n32 'i'n PIGS.f11and 3 wins. bestshown enteredin asuitable opening lQiiinthejtube 56 so as to engage a spring 162. at the urging of the spring 38. The plunger 96 urgefsthe TmembenSZ outwardly to release a spring such as 162 and to permit the ,sametoidrop beneath; the. member 82-andjintoengagement with the aforesaid gate member 70g Thereafter, theplunger92 perinits thej spring 98 to urge-the rneznberfSZ }into ;engagement-with? the next vertically" adjacent spring and to holdsaidspring selectively connectible with the spring looping units 16h and.18. As shown,.the deviceStl is'connected with the spring looping unit 16 as by suitable bolts not'shown and said device ,operates'to intermittently deliver springs to the transfer device 22 of said, unit. However, it will be apparent that the escapement device 5t) can be similarly connected with the spring looping unit 18 when the latter isused in a single looping operationor as an upper looping unitin adouble looping operation. J. In allicas es, cams included .in the eiscapement device, such as earns. 52 and 54, are mountedon the cam shafts of the associated spring j looping unit so as to provide for operation; of, the escapementdevice'in properly timed relationship, with-the other components of the unit.

Escapement device 3 7 Referring particularly to FIGS. '1 and 2, it will be observedthat the escapement device Sit-includes a vertical tube 56 provided at its upper-end. with a funnel 58. The funnel 58 is adapted to receive. springs. continuously as from a vibratory hopper andto. direct the springs into the tube 56 successively with theiraxes vertical. The tube 56 is held in'position by means of suitable adjustable upper and lower brackets 60 and 62 and by 'meansof a backing member 64' supported by a frame 66 of the escapement.

device.

i, It will beobserved in FIG; 1 that the gate member 70 is disposed beneaththe lower end of the tube SQto hold a stack of springsin said tube. As shown, the gate mem berffl) and the lever 68 are held in such position by the bf the escape-1 Y V in the tube 56 during the interval :When-theg'ate member;

7tl'opens torrelease thespringjltiZ.

As best shown in FIG; 2,.the plunger- 9 6 carrie s-a cam follower: 104 at its. outergend portion and is Qslidably journaled in bosses 106. and-itlSflonthe'frarnefiei' A-'bias: ing spring urges theplunger 96; and the follower N3 4 into engagement withthe aforesaid cam545 Said cam; and the ,springdid cooperatively{move thea plutiger 9 6 4; V

inwardly and outwardly asrequi'red .to .provide theaafore}l A described operation of the member slinkprop'erly timed V relationship: with the operation of the" gate rnernberfitlif Transfer device devices.

backing element 116 is mounted ion the in'n'e'ii end portion of a camle'ver; 12h epivoted at 122. The 10am lever 129 .f

is urged .rearwardly by 'a spring 124-Fand a follower 125 at the outer end portion thereof engages; a'cam 128 on the; I cam shaft 28.] The lever 12% a ndthe tube'112 are shown in a rearward position whereintheupper end o'f'thejtubez 112 is disposed in afir st vertical'plane"beneath the tube" 5620f the? 'es'capernent device 5t In :thi'sf position of the 1 j tube 112 springs are-delivered thereto lby the escapement cam- 52 and the spring ;74 serves to move the lever and W gate member rearwardly when a cam' depression 8tlis reached Rearward movement of the :gatemember70' allows. ajsingle'spring to drop from the tube 56 toythe transfer device 22 as will be seen. 'Such operation is. effected by-the cam 52 and the spring 74 in timed rela: u

tionship with the remaining components in the. spring toa'spring receivingcontainerfl" r 7 Movement ofthetube 112, between .the position shown device 50 and formation of lhopson-thei-springsjoccurs;-

In the forward: position of the tube 112,: represented i at j V 130, a spring' witha loop for med thereon is discharged; 7 f from the tubellZto the inverting mechanism "42 .1" Alter-- natively, and when, thei transfer'device22 iisjetnployed in a a single loop forming operation; or on'fthe 'lof'wei'; spring looping unit inadoublei loop forming operation, a. spring can be discharged' from' the 'tube 1112latthe position 130 and the position 130 is':' accomplished by the spring 124 and thecamlZB acting cooperatively. Such movement is elfectedin properly timedrelationship withthe remaining Springs jreleased' intermittently by the; aforedescribed if escapement device arelreceived:byithertransferdevice22 T on the spring looping unit-163 However, the transfer de- 5 vices 22,122. ;may.' be identical as mentioned] above: and 1 I i it 'is therefore necessary to idescribe only. one of sa id v Referringparticularly to FIGS. I 1, 4 and 15,- it t will be observed thatthetransfendeyieen includes ave-r i tical tubelllZ heldin a -sleeve' -114 which in turnisseeured 1 V to a backing: element 116 by a clamping devicehl ltif T he e components of the spring looping machine such that a spring is received by the tube 112 and looped in a position shown and thereafter discharged from the tube at the position 130.

In order that springs may be held in and released from the tube 112 as required, there is provided a holding means indicated generally at 132 in FIG. 5. Said holding means comprises a small plunger 134 movable horizontally in an opening 136 in the tube 112 adjacent the lower end of the tube. A light spring 138 in a sleeve 146 urges the plunger 134 into the opening 136 and into engagement with a spring such as 142 in the tube 112. Preloading of the spring 138 may be accomplished by means of a screw 144 threaded into a rear-end portion of the sleeve 140. In turn, the sleeve 141) is threaded into an outer sleeve 146 slidable in a bore 148 in a member 150 which depends from the lever 120. The outer sleeve 146 is urged rearwardly in the bore 148 by means of a spring 152 and is engaged at its rear-end surface by a lever extension 154. To prevent rotation of the outer sleeve 146 in the bore 148 a key 156 is held in a keyway 158 in said sleeve by a screw 160.

Referring now to FIG. 4, it will be observed that the lever extension 154 depends from a cam lever 162 pivoted at 122 and carrying a follower 164 at its outer end portion. The follower 164 engages a cam 166 on the cam shaft 28. Urging the follower 164 into engagement with the ca m 166 is a spring 168 associated with a flange 176 on the aforesaid backing member 116. A small stop pin 172 engages the flange 1 79 to limit forward movement of the lever 162 relative to the lever 120.

In operation of the holding mechanism 132 the plunger 134 is normally in an inner or forward position at the urging of the spring 138 so as to block a spring dropped into the tube 112 from the escapement device 50. The spring 168 serves to keep the stop pin 172 in engagement with the flange 170 and the lever extension 154 is engaged by the sleeve 146, the spring 152 urging said sleeve rearwardly and into engagement with the extension. Thus, a spring dropped into the tube 112 is initially held in the tube by the plunger 134 disposed beneath the spring. On passage of a selected interval of time, a rise 174 on the cam 166 engages the follower 164 and moves the lever 162 to the position shown in FIG. 4. In such position of the lever 162 the extension 154 thereon is moved rearwardly a sufiicient distance to permit the sleeve 146 sufficient rearward movement for engagement of a head 176 on the plunger 134 with a shoulder 178 and for rearward movement of the plunger 134 out of engagement with the spring 142 in the tube 112. In consequence, the spring 142 commences to fall from the tube 112 and, as will be seen, engages an indexing head so as to be held partially in the tube 112 in a position substantially as indicated in FlG. 5 and in FIGS. 14 and 15. The follower 164 thereupon falls from the rise 174 on the cam 166 and the plunger 134 once again engages the spring 142, but now at its side substantially as shown in FIG. 5. As will be seen, the plunger 134 operates during this portion of the machines operation to provide a drag force on the spring 142 while the spring is rotatably indexed for the loop forming operation. Subsequently, the plunger 134 serves to hold the spring such as 142 during the loop forming operation and during subsequent movement of the tube 112 from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position 130.

During movement of the tube 112 to the position 130 the spring 168 holds the stop pin 172 in engagement with the flange 170 and the lever 162 follows the lever 120 with the follower164 on the former engaging or at least approximately engaging the cam 166. With the tube 112 in the position 136 the follower 164 is engaged by a rise 180 on the cam 166 whereupon the lever extension 154 once again moves rearwardly permitting the sleeve 146 to move rearwardly and causing engagement of the shoulder 178 with the plunger head 176 and the resulting movement of the plunger 134 out of the opening 136. Thus, a

6 spring 142 is permitted to fall from the tube 112 to the inverting mechanism 42 or to a container for collecting completed springs.

Indexing means The indexing means 24, 24 may be identical as mentioned. As the upper indexing means 24 is disposed behind the inverting mechanism 42 the corresponding lower indexing means 24 will be described with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 6 through 10. An indexing head 182 is best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 as having a substantially fiat horizontal upper surface 184 and a substantially vertical surface 186, the latter being provided by a blade 188 secured in a suitable notch in the head. Both rotary and vertical movement of the indexing head 182 are provided for and the head is movable from a lower position shown in FIG. 8 vertically upwagdly to a position slightly below the lower end of a tube 112 on the transfer device 22. Preferably and as will be described hereinbelow, the head is moved rapidly upwardly from the FIG. 8 position we position beneath its said upper position and is then rotated and simultaneously elevated slowly to its final upper position. Movement of the head is coordinated with the release of a spring from a tube 112 so that the spring falls into engagement with the head surface 184 as it commences its rotary and slow upward movement. During the rotary and slow upward movement of the head 182 the blade 138 engages the end surface 190 of a spring 192, FIGS. 9 and 10, and rotates the spring into proper position for operation thereon by looping tools to be described hereinbelow. During rotation of the spring 192 by the indexing head 132 the spring is disposed partially in the tube 112 as described above for the spring 142 and is engaged by the plunger 134 to provide a drag force. The provision of the drag force in combination with the rotary and slow upward movement of the indexing head 182 results in a highly eflicient indexing operation.

As best shown in FIG. 8 the indexing head 182 is journaled in a forwardly extending bracket 194 mounted on a vertical slide 196. The slide 1% also carries rearwardly extending upper and lower brackets 198 and 290 which provide bearing support for a vertical shaft 202. The shaft 262 carries an axially elongated gear 204 and a pulley 206 connected for rotation with said gear. The pulley 266 is connected in driving relationship with a pulley 268 which rotates the indexing head 182 by means of a belt 216. Thus, the gear 204 may be rotated to im part rotary movement to the indexing head 182 and the slide 196 may be moved vertically to impart vertical movement to the head.

As best illustrated in FIG. 7, the slide 196 is held in a guideway 212 for vertical sliding movement. Springs 214, 214 best shown in FIG. 6 urge the slide 196 downwardly in its guideway 212 and a link 216 is pivotally connected with the slide for urging the same upwardly. A cam lever 216 pivotally connected with the link 216 and'oscillated in properly timed relationship by a cam 220 provides for the required upward movement of the link 216. That is, the cam 220 causes the lever 218 to pivot about a pin 222 and to elevate the link 216, the slide 196 and the indexing head 182 first rapidly and thereafter slowly during an indexing operation.

Rotary movement of the indexing head 182 is accomplished through operation of the aforementioned pulleys and belts and the gear 264 and through operation of a cam lever 224 which carries a segment 226 at its inner end. The gear segment 226 meshes with the gear 204 irrespective of the vertical position of the slide 196 so as to rotate the gear under the influence of a cam 228. The cam 223 engages a follower 230 at the outer end of the lever 224 whereby to pivot the lever about a point 232 as required to swing the gear segment 226 and rotate the indexing head 182 during an indexing operation. Both left and right-hand springs are accommodated by the looping machine and a change in the direction of rotation of the indexing head 132 can be provided for by alternaamazes tive arrangements of the lever 2243 That is, the lever I 224;ma'y be alternatively pivoted about a point-234 and operatively associated with a earn 228 mounted 'on;the

opposite cam shaft of the spring looping'unit When a spring partially disposed in the tube 112: has; been indexed by indexing device 24, the indexing head 182 is lowered out of engagement with the spring by operation of t e link 216, "the lever 218 and the cam 229. The spring is then in a state of readiness for formationot a loop at its lowerend by means of a loop forming, mech--- anism 20.

Loop jorming mechanism The loop forming mechanisms 20, 29 may beidentical' as mentioned and each said mechanism preferablycomprises. three cam and tool slide assemblies as shown. Optionally, a fourth, cam-and tool slide assembly can be proyided utilizing frameopeningsldfi, 2376 and cam grooves 23s, '23s in FIG. 1

A'first or upper left-hand cam and tool slide assent bly comprises. a' earn 240 on the camshaft 26, a follower 242. and a tool slide 7244. Thes lide 244 is movable hor- V izontally inwardly andoutwardly on a 'guidewayf or base,

not shown, and carries a tool 246. The tool 246 may a vary widely in form in accordance widrthe type of end loop. to be formed and said tool is operative on an indexed spring held by a tube 112 on inward sliding movement ot' the slide 244% As illustrated in FIG. 14,- thetoolzdd takesthe form of asepara-ting knife operative on anginf1 ward stroke ofthe slide on the lowermost coil or 'coil portion 248 ofa spring 142 held inthe tube llz. That is, the knife z ld 'separates said lowermost coil or coil por tion 248 as illustrated on inward movement of its slide Referring again to FIG. 1, it'will be observed that'a' secondor lower right-hand cam and slide assembly of the; forming mechanism 2 3 comprises a earn 259 on the shaft 2S,'a follower 252, a slide 254, and a tool 256 held by '7 the-slide. As in the caseaof the slide 244, they slide 254 f is slidable on a guideway or base, not shown, inwardly or outwardly at the urging of the'cam 25%). The toolisfi'on; 7

said slide is operableon an inward stroke of the slide and,

inFIG. 14, itwill be observed thatthe said'tool may take 1 thegform of a mandrel. The tool'or mandrel 256 moyes inwardly to the position showndnFIG. 14 on an inward :7

stroke of the slide 254' so as to present a shoulder258 to the lowermostcoil or coil portion on a spring 142 in the tube 112'. Said shoulder serves as a backing member to permit eflicient separation of the lowermost COli'OI coil portion by the separating lknife'zdfin Additionally, the mandrel. 256v has a rounded bearing surfacelzfill and a downwardly and rightwardly inclined bearingsmface 262;

As will be seen, said two surfaces areemployedflin thej bending of the lowermost coilor coil portionZ t-Sto form an end loop on the spring 142. V

A third or lower'left-hand cam and tool slidetassernbly in the looping mechanisms 20 is best illustrated in FIGS. 7

l1 and '12., lSaid assembly comprises acam 264. on'the left-hand earn shaft 26, a follower 266, a slide 268, and a tool 27d. Theslide 263 is movable 'inwardly and out-y wardly along a two-part base or guideway best illustrated V in FIGS L l2 and 13 and which includesafixed part 272 and a swingable part 274'. The slide 268 is urged out wardly by a spring 2'76 partially shown in FIG; 12 into engagement with the cam 264. Similarmsprings,;n ot

shownyserve a similar function for the aforementioned slides 244 and 254. y 1 g The .tool 270 carried by the slide 268 is operative ,on

an inward stroke of the slide and, as shown in FIG. 14, said tool comprises a forming tool. The tool has a down-.

wardly and rightwardly inclined forming surface 278 and an upwardly and rightwardly inclined forming surface- 280.: Thesurfaces 278 and 280 are arranged to engage radially spaced portionsiof a lower'coil or-coil portion 2-68 andyas shown, the'surface; 230 engages: said coiljor coil pin fitl-t 'limits clockwise movement of the crankarm 1290 5 approximatelylto an-taxial plane; Howeverfit'is' to be understood that tools canlbe provided-riorloopst ofvarii I ous other orientationsandot widely varying'types.

r .11 FIG-1'5 there'is:shownaspring'ldlttfin nature 7 132 and the shearingknife 24mm mandrel 262 are illustrated as in FlG; 14. The forming tool-210 is also shown but it is to be notedthat-the said tool is illustratedin a position wherein it has moved 'downwardly and rightwarda ly frorn the broken'linevposition 'ofI 'FIG. l4.1 'S'uch addi; tional movement iof-the tool-Z70fi-s reflective {to extend'a loop in thelaxialydirection, :such extended loops being-re quired in many applications. 5 It will be apparent thatzthe 1 surface] 239 onl'the forming tool 270 engages a loop to extend the same during downward and rightward-terminal movement of the tool; lt will' be :further apparent that such movement ofthe tool can be effectively providedfor eby means describedehereinbelowf, 1

The aforementioned :swin'gable' base or guideway; part ZYd-is pivotally movable about a pin Z82v best shown in'f EEG. 13. Thus, thejpart 27d- ;andrtheslidegles can be: swung downwardly in'unison during a terminalporition of the inward movementof the slide effected by the'cam 26d. A'bracket 2842- connected with 'the base or guideway part 274- has a link,286 .pivotallyconneetedthere withand a biaSingfSpringZtlS,engages the saidibracket' and tends 'to holdthe part ZMiand theiz'slide 268 :ilf'fl g horizontal attitude; The link 286 is movedaoutwardly to swing thesa-idpartzm and slide .268 in a cloc'kwise directiOnabout thev pin- 232 by meansifofjaacrank arm 2%;

and a; Cain-lever; 292; The 7 said link? 286isj pivotally connected-.zwithsthe' 'arm ZQtPYat NZI-land 'said arm-fandlever are connected together forgpiyotal lrnovementaboutr a point 296; A'followe'r 29.8 on the =lever 292'engages a carndtl-mou'nted on the cam shaft 26; 'Thusyga rise 13432-1 .on the, carnfddtl 'can' swing the leven :292 and'the crank arm 2% in a" counterclockwise direction in FIG. :12 to rnovethe link 2% outwardlyand to swinglthe baseapartf a 274' and thesl'ide 268 in a clockwise direction; Aistop' and thus establishes the .nornial substantially;horizontal position of thelslide 268; Additionally, tan -adj ustingele V ment 306 in meanness provides fors'electiomofthe 7 amount or. degree of downwardiniovernentpf thet ool 276) at: the. terminal portionof its;inward stroke., a

It is also to be noted that the. cam 300 can be pro- -vided with a depression aatherthan a 'rise 'whe'reby to provide for upwardswinging movement of the, forming tool fitl'atitheiterniinal portionfof the'finwardslide stroke. Such adaptation oflthe cam will result in a loop which is urgednpwardly or inwardly 'ratheretha'n'down- 'wardly relativeto' the spring. lAlso,-' it is to :be observed that all cam andslide-assemblies canbe interchanged to provide for various types of loops; 'Tliercam 305%,Zffor example, canbe mounted on the rcam'Shaft ZS when the; I V

associated'cam' and slide 'assembly' are 'dispo'sed in the L position occupied by: the second; onlower right-hand cam and slide assembly.

Sprirtg' inveriirig mechanism; a

- :After a spring has; been lo'oped at one end: bylthe above-described 'looping'm'echan'ism, it is transferred forwardly by the transfer 'device '22. as' previously mentioned -i J and discharged to the inverting mechanism 42 or a-suitable containers As best shown in FI GS;.I16 and '17, the, inverting mechanism 54211215 ai spring receiving tube 3.68: 7

9 which projects upwardly from a holder 310. The spring receiving tube 308 is disposed in a second vertical plane which also contains the transfer device tube 112 when the latter is in its forward position. As mentioned, indexing and loop forming occur in a first vertical plane spaced rearwardly from the said second vertical plane.

The holder 310 for the tube 308 is rotatable about an axis 312 through approximately 180 from the full line position shown in FIG. 16 to the broken line position therein. Said tube is closed at the bottom so as to receive a spring from a tube 112 of the transfer device 22 and hold the same in the full line position of FIG. 16. A tube cap 314 is mounted on a light spring 316 so as to be held away from the upper end of the tube 308 by a stop pin 318 when the tube 308 is in its full line or upper position. On clockwise rotation of the tube 308, the cap 314 covers theopen end of the tube and retains a spring therein untilthe tube approaches its lower position. As the tube approaches said lower position, a second stop pin 320 engages the cap spring 316- and displaces the cap whereby to open the tube and discharge the spring therefrom. The tube 112 of the lower transfer device 22 thus receives the spring from the inverting mechanism in inverted attitude whereupon its unlooped end may be operated upon by the indexing means and loop forming mechanism of the lower spring looping unit 18.

A means for rotating the tube holder 310 from its upper to its lower position and thence back to its upper position includes a pulley 322 journaled in a frame 324 and engaged with a belt 326. The belt 326 is driven from a second pulley 328 which in turn is connected with and driven by a gear 330 disposed behind the frame 30 of the looping unit 18. As best shown in FIG. 17, the frame 324 is secured to the frame 30 as by a suitable screw 332 and said frame 324 also provides bearing support for a shaft 334 carrying the pulley 328 and the gear 330.

The gear 330 is rotated intermittently by means of a gear segment 336 partially shown in FIG. 17, but better illustrated in FIG. 6. Said gear segment 336 is formed at an inner end portion of a cam lever 338 pivoted at 340 and carrying a follower 342 engageable with a cam 344 on the cam shaft 26. It will be apparent that the cam 344 can operate the lever 338 whereby to rotate the gear 330 and the tube 308 and its holder 310 as required to transfer springs between the spring looping units 16 and 18 in proper timed relationship with the remaining components of said units.

We claim:

1. The combination in a spring looping machine of a base assembly including horizontally spaced first and second vertical drive shafts each adapted for connection with a power operating means, similar first and second looping units each adapted to successively loop springs at one end and each comprising a cam operated looping mechanism and cam operated transfer and indexing means for receiving and presenting springs to the looping mechanism, each of said units also comprising horizontally spaced first and second vertical cam shafts carrying cams for operating the looping mechanism and the transfer and indexing means thereof, and said units being selectively connectible with and atop said base assembly with the cam shafts of a connected unit rotated by said drive shafts and said units also being selectively connectible with each other in vertically stacked relationship with their corresponding cam shafts connected for rotation in unison, a cam operated spring inverting mechanism selectively connectible with said looping units and adapted successively to receive springs from the transfer and indexing means of one unit and successively to deliver the same in inverted attitude to the transfer and indexing means of the other unit, and a cam operated escapement device selectively connectible with said looping units adjacent their transfer and indexing means and adapted successively to receive springs and deliver the same to the iii transfer and indexing means in timed relationship with the operation of the latter, said looping mechanism being operable on springs in a first vertical plane and said inverting mechanism serving to handle springs in a second vertical plane when said looping units are connected in stacked relationship with the inverting mechanism connected with the lower unit and with said escapement mechanism connected with the upper unit, and said transfer and indexing means being adapted to move springs between said two vertical planes for transfer of the same from said upper unit to said lower unit via said inverting mechanism.

2. The combination in a spring looping machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said transfer and indexing means includes a vertical spring receiving and holding tube cam operated for movement between said two ver-. tical planes and provided with a cam operated plunger engageable with a spring in said tube, and wherein each of said means also includes a cam operated indexing head adapted to engage and rotate a spring in said receiving and holding tube.

3. The combination in a spring looping machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said escapement device includes a vertical spring receiving and holding tube disposed approximately in said first vertical plane and a cam operated member adapted to engage and hold a spring in said tube.

4. The combination in a spring looping machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said spring inverting mechanism includes a spring receiving tube rotatable in said second vertical plane through approximately to receive a spring fromone of said transfer and indexing means and deliver the same in inverted attitude to the other of said means.

5. For use in a spring looping machine, a looping unit comprising an upright frame carrying horizontally spaced first and second cam shafts, a looping mechanism on said frame comprising at least two opposing slides carrying tools operable to form a loop in movement transverse to the spring axis, first and second cam means on said first and second shafts respectively for operating said slides, means on said frame for successively receiving springs and indexing the same for a looping operation at one end portion thereof by said looping mechanism, said means serving also to hold a spring during formation of a loop thereon and comprising a vertical tube movable generally horizontally between first and second positions and a spring biased plunger engageable with a spring in said tube and also comprising a rotary indexing bead disposed beneath said tube when the latter is in said first position, cam means on at least one of said cam shafts for operating said last mentioned means whereby said tube is moved to said first position and said plunger is operated first to release a spring in said tube and thereafter to frictionally engage the spring with a portion thereof projecting beneath the tube, said cam means being operable also to cause said rotary indexing head to positively engage a spring released by the plunger and to rotate the same to an indexed position against the frictional resistance of said plunger, and said cam means being still further operable to move said tube to said second position and to cause said plunger to release the spring at said position for discharge from said tube, means on said frame for successively delivering springs to said receiving and indexing means, and cam means on at least one of said shafts for operating said last mentioned means to deliver springs in timed relationship with the operation of said looping mechanism.

6. A spring looping unit as set forth in claim 5 wherein said indexing head is characterized by the provision of a substantially flat horizontal surface engageable with a lower end coil of a spring to stop the descent of the spring and by the provision of a narrow substantially vertical surface projecting above said horizontal surface and surfacev Ofsaidin the aforesaid cam means and means connecting said cam means with said indexing'head provide for the slow elevation of said head, during rotary indexing movement;

of the head.v I

8. For use-in a spring looping machine, a looping unit comprising an upright frame carrying horizontally spaced first and second cam'shafts, means on-saidframe for with the loop formation occurring at the; lowerv end of the ti'on ofia spring held by said rec'eiving and indexing means,

15 spring, a'firstslide and cam assembly adapted to'move' a separating knife into engagement With a lower end por-z a second cam .andfslideassembly adapted to move;a

mandrel into engagementwither lower end portion of a spring held by said receiving and indexing means, and a r 'third cam and slide assembly adaptedto move a loop forming tool into engagement with-a lower end p rtion of a spring heldby said springreceiving and indexing;

thereafter in a combined horizontal and'vertical direction whereby to form and to vertically displace a loop at; the lower end portion of the spring;

9. A lo'opingrunit as setforth in claim 8 wherein said third cam andslidei assembly comprises a sliderand a second cams respectively connected with said slide and guideway for efiecting horizontal movement of the former 1 guideway the latter of which is mounted for pivotal move-.

and combined horizontal and vertical movement of lbothf f 11. sp-ring looping extension of the spring floopr: a l r 12; Thexcombination ina spring looping machine of. a i

' vertical tubeu adapted to ,receive springs successivelyat; itsupper end,;"said tube: having an opening-adjacent its lowerend, i fa generally horizontal-spring biaseduplunge'r, movable, into and out of saidopeningto engage a spring; adjacent the lower end of the tube; meanstdnoperatingfJ.' .said plunge'r' so thatit initially blocks a spring ideposited. V f

in theQatube :a nd thereafterfireleases theQspringmomenftarily' and then engages and frictionally:holds ithe spring-.2;

at: the urging' ofaits; biasing spring, 7 an, indexingihead dis V posedb'eneath the lower endaof the tube so la's'tofbe: en-;

V gaged by and stop the de scentjof a spring released by said:

plunger said indexing he d being. providedwith' a substantially flat horizontal surfacefor engaging the lower most end. coil of a spring released by said plunger'andl with a narrow substantially :verticalis'urface ffor positively. engagingthe free end surface of such "a coil,"and' operating 'means for 'said indexing head serving gto rotate the" r wherein 'said second 1 cam serves .to providefor; vertical downward movement of s'aid 'guideway; gan d'slidei and .for

same, [and to thereby rotate aspring engaged bye,

plunger, said operating ineanslbeing=adaptedalso to pro ,videjfor the: slow elevationfof said head/during rotation a of the; same inengagement witli 1 i r References crta b z agma a A VUNITEDQSTATVESIPAIENTS, 1,051,497} 1 cnARLnsiW; LANHAM, Primary alu ina j 'VRECHARD :A', WAHHL, Examiner; r i

nnit 'asf'set forth in claim 31 0 

1. THE COMBINATION IN A SPRING LOOPING MACHINE OF A BASE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING HORIZONTALLY SPACE FIRST AND SECOND VERTICAL DRIVE SHAFTS EACH ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION WITH A POWER OPERATING MEANS, SIMILAR FIRST AND SECOND LOOPING UNITS EACH ADAPTED TO SUCCESSIVELY LOOP SPRINGS AT ONE END AND EACH COMPRISING A CAM OPERATED LOOPING MECHANISM AND CAM OPERATED TRANSFER AND INDEXING MEANS FOR RECEIVING AND PRESENTING SPRINGS TO THE LOOPING MECHANISM, EACH OF SAID UNITS ALSO COMPRISING HORIZONTALLY SPACED FIRST AND SECOND VERTICAL CAM SHAFTS CARRYING CAMS FOR OPERATING THE LOOPING MECHANISM AND THE TRANSFER AND INDEXING MEANS THEREOF, AND SAID UNITS BEING SELECTIVELY CONNECTIBLE WITH AND ATOP SAID BASE ASSEMBLY WITH THE CAM SHAFTS OF A CONNECTED UNIT ROTATED BY SAID DRIVE SHAFTS AND SAID UNITS ALSO BEING SELECTIVELY CONNECTIBLE WITH EACH OTHER IN VERTICALLY STACKED RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR CORRESPONDING CAM SHAFTS CONNECTED FOR ROTATION IN UNISON, A CAM OPERATED SPRING INVERTING MECHANISM SELECTIVELY CONNECTIBLE WITH SAID LOOPING UNITS AND ADAPTED SUCCESIVELY TO RECEIVE SPRINGS FROM THE TRANSFER AND INDEXING MEANS OF ONE UNIT AND SUCCESSIVELY TO DELIVER THE SAME IN INVERTED ATTITUDE TO THE TRANSFER AND INDEXING MEANS OF THE OTHER UNIT, AND A CAM OPERATED ESCAPEMENT DEVICE SELECTIVELY CONNECTIBLE WITH SAID LOOPING UNITS ADJACENT THEIR TRANSFER AND INDEXING MEANS AND ADAPTED SUCCESSIVELY TO RECEIVE SPRINGS AND DELIVER THE SAME TO THE TRANSFER AND INDEXING MEANS IN TIMED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OPERATION OF THE LATTER, SAID LOOPING MECHANISM BEING OPERABLE ON SPRINGS IN A FIRST VERTICAL PLANE AND SAID INVERTING MECHANISM SERVING TO HANDLE SPRINGS IN A SECOND VERTICAL PLANE WHEN SAID LOOPING UNITS ARE CONNECTED IN STACKED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE INVERTING MECHANISM CONNECTED WITH THE LOWER UNIT AND WITH SAID ESCAPEMENT MECHANISM CONNECTED WITH THE UPPER UNIT, AND SAID TRANSFER AND INDEXING MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO MOVE SPRINGS BETWEEN SAID TWO VERTICAL PLANES FOR TRANSFER OF THE SAME FROM SAID UPPER UNIT TO SAID LOWER UNIT VIA SAID INVERTING MECHANISM. 